I am asking my children to read at least ten of the books on their individualized list before August 18, 2008. I also want each of them to memorize two poems this summer and present them for the family. I will take each child who does so out to eat to the restaurant of his choice, and I will also buy a book for each child who finishes the challenge. This list is for Karate Kid, age 11, who just finished fifth grade.
Andrew, Brother. God’s Smuggler. The true story of a Dutch man who smuggled Bibles and other Christian literature into countries behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War years. (Christian Biographies category for the Summer Book Blast)
Batson, Thomas Wayne. Isle of Swords. Treasure, a mysterious island, shark-infested waters, a treasure map, flogging, cutlasses, swords, guns, the British navy in pursuit, and explosions and swash-buckling battles galore: what more could a boy ask for? (Adventures category for the Summer Book Blast) Complete Semicolon review here.
The Bible. Romans. (Faith Builders category for the Summer Book Blast)
The Bible. I Samuel. (Faith Builders category for the Summer Book Blast)
Clements, Andrew. Frindle. Nick, a fifth-grade boy, invents a new word for pen: “frindle.” Soon, the whole country is using it. But Nick’s language arts teacher, Mrs. Granger, isn’t so happy with his creative endeavor. (Fiction category for the Summer Book Blast)
Dingle, Adrian. The Periodic Table: Elements with Style. For sixty-four of the elements, each has its own “home-page” in this introduction to the periodic table.
Feldman, Jodi. The Gollywhopper Games. Reviewed by Becky here.
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. Spectacular Science: A Book of Poems. A collection of poems about science.
Jacques, Brian. Redwall. The Abbey of Redwall is home to a variety of animals who have adventures in this fantasy world. (Adventures category for the Summer Book Blast)
Katz, Linda. Gee Wiz. Subtitle: How to Mix Art and Science or the Art of Thinking Scientifically.
Kendall, Carolyn. The Gammage Cup. The story of five non-conformist Minnipins who become unlikely heroes probably hit a nerve in the non-conformist sixties, but it’s still a great story.(Adventures category for the Summer Book Blast)
McCaffrey, Anne. Black Horses for the King. A Roman Celtic youth, Galwyn, helps the future king of Britain, Lord Artos, acquire the legendary Black Horses of his legions. (Adventures category for the Summer Book Blast)
McCloskey, Robert. Homer Price. Homer lives in Centerburg where he tries to win a doughnut-eating contest and keeps a pet skunk, among other adventures. (Classics category for the Summer Book Blast)
O’Brien, Robert. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. A widowed field mouse, Mrs. Frisby, who seeks the aid of a group of former laboratory rats in rescuing her home from destruction by a farmer’s plow. (Classics category for the Summer Book Blast)
Robertson, Keith. Henry Reed, Inc. A great old-fashioned book about a boy who spends the summer in a small town with his uncle and aunt. Exciting things happen whenever Henry is around! (Fiction category for the Summer Book Blast)
Strobel, Lee. The Case for Faith for Kids. “Using kid-friendly language, Lee Strobel shares true examples of how people throughout the world demonstrate their faith in God while answering questions about the nature of God.” (Faith Builders category for the Summer Book Blast)
Wilson, N.D. 100 Cupboards. “Twelve-year-old Henry York wakes up one night to find bits of plaster in his hair. Two knobs have broken through the wall above his bed and one of them is slowly turning . . .” (Mysteries category for the Summer Book Blast)
Poems to memorize:
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